Nainital. There is a protest against the removal of the statue of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi from Tallital intersection in Nainital city of Uttarakhand. The city is to be beautified, the plan for which has been prepared by the Public Works Department. Under this, Tallital intersection is also to be beautified. There is a plan of the administration to remove the Gandhi statue installed on the Tallital stalk and shift it to Gandhi Ashram in Takula and in its place a new statue of Bapu will be installed in the middle of the Tallital intersection, which the local people are opposing. This statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been a witness to many movements starting from the statehood movement.
The statue of Mahatma Gandhi was installed here in the 70s and since then till today it has been a source of inspiration for peace, goodwill, truth, non-violence, equality and simplicity. At the same time, any organization or party takes shelter under the statue of Gandhi for Satyagraha and silent demonstrations against the incidents happening in the city and state.
Opinion of people of Nainital
Nainital resident senior journalist and state agitator Rajiv Lochan Sah said while talking to Local 18 that the sentiments of the people of Nainital are attached to this statue of Bapu. This statue has been the center of every small and big movement. This statue cannot be removed by the administration in the name of road widening. He said that they had staged a dharna at this place on October 25 and the wall built behind the statue was also broken by the women but the administration is adamant on removing the statue.
Gandhi statue is the identity of Nainital
Nainital resident state agitator Leela Bora said that this statue has been a witness to many movements, and it is also the identity of Nainital. Apart from the local residents, tourists visiting Nainital are also saddened by the removal of this statue. His opinion is that the Gandhi statue should not be removed from here. Nainital businessman Tribhuvan Fartyal said that this statue of Gandhiji is connected with the emotions of the people and everyone has a feeling of respect and reverence for the Father of the Nation in their hearts. The people of the city are expressing concern over shifting the statue installed in Tallital Danth somewhere else. The administration should find a solution by talking to those people. Nainital resident social worker Saraswati Khetwal says that the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Tallital was installed on the request of the people. Indira Gandhi was requested to install this statue which had been pending for many years. People’s emotions are attached to this statue. The administration’s decision to remove the statue is to play with the emotions of the people.
It is wrong to oppose development
Amandeep Singh, Secretary of Tallital Vyapar Mandal, Nainital, said that if something becomes old in our house, it is replaced. Even in temples, if the idol of God becomes old, then a new idol is installed in its place. Similarly, the administration is planning to remove the old statue of Gandhiji and install it in the middle of the intersection with a very beautiful statue of Gandhiji along with a charkha, which is not at all wrong in terms of beautification of the city. He said that the installation of the new statue will not cause any harm to anyone nor will there be any reduction in the respect of the Father of the Nation. It is absolutely wrong for people to oppose beautification. Not only in Nainital but also in Haldwani, the administration has done beautification and road widening work in many intersections, the effect of which can be clearly seen. At the same time, after widening and beautification of Tallital Danth, problems like jam will get rid of. It is unfortunate that there is opposition to the work being done for the development of the city.
‘Must support development’
According to Dharman Paliwal, shopkeeper of Tallital market, installing the new statue of Gandhiji at the intersection will enhance the beauty of the city. Senior journalist Kishore Joshi, resident of Nainital, said that shifting the spindle of the statue and installing a new statue at the intersection is very good in terms of beautification. Tallital Danth, which is the gateway to the city, faces the maximum problem of traffic jam. After widening there, the problem of traffic jam will be relieved. Making an issue of opposing the installation of a new statue should not be a question of one’s reputation but should be viewed in a positive light and support development.
The beauty of Nainital will be enhanced
Tallital businessman Mohammad Iqbal said that after the new statue of Gandhiji at the intersection and beautification of the city, a good picture of the city will emerge and a good image of Nainital will also be created among the tourists coming to Nainital. Businessman Mohammad Sarfaraz says that the statue of Gandhiji installed in Tallital Danth has become quite old. If instead of this a new beautiful statue is installed at the intersection, then it would be good. This will also enhance the beauty of the city.
Tags: Local18, Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Nainital news, Uttarakhand news
FIRST PUBLISHED : November 17, 2024, 11:21 IST
